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Why is my penis bent?

There can be many reasons for a penis to be bent. It is often normal to have a penis curve slightly upwards, right or left when erect. However if you have more than a slight curve it could be symptomatic of Peyronie’s Disease. The primary cause of the disease is so far unknown but can be attributed to a variety of things.

Peyronie’s disease can be especially problematic if a bent penis interferes with normal day to day activities including sex and urination. If you are experiencing pain or difficulties in these areas, you should definitely see a urologist or your local GP for a referral. Again, these symptoms could indicate a more serious problem, such as Peyronie’s Disease.

More about Peyronie’s Disease

The exact cause of Peyronie’s Disease is largely unknown, but there are some general ideas as to how it can occur. Many believe that PD sometimes occurs after an injury to the penis when it is erect, in turn causing a bend during sex. Rough or unusual sexual positions can attribute to this. However, this is not the only cause – PD can develop without any obvious cause, including being passed down in genetics.

How to determine whether the bend is normal, or whether there is a more serious underlying condition:

As above, a bend in the penis can be totally normal and nothing to worry about, however, it could mean you have PD. The symptoms of Peyronie’s disease include:

A noticeable curve in the penis, while it is erect (normally the curve will be in an upward direction, although sometimes can be to the left or right)

A hard lump or thick area in the shaft of the penis, known as a plaque

Serious pain, including burning or tingling, in the erect penis. Pain in the flaccid penis is much rarer

Changes in size of the penis, including changes to the girth or length. Usually, the penis will become smaller when PD is present.

Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection, even during sexual activity. It is important to note that inability to achieve or maintain an erection can indicate other conditions other than PD – so you should see your GP if this is a concern.

While pain is a defining symptom of PD, it is not necessarily present in all cases; many men with the disease won’t experience any pain at all. If there is excessive pain, take painkillers or anti-inflammatories to try and ease discomfort. Watch out for pain which interferes with your ability to have sex or function normally – as above, erectile dysfunction can be symptomatic of PD and pain can exasperate this condition.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. PD is one cause of a penis bend, but there are many other reasons your penis may be a slightly different shape!

Non-surgical treatments for bent penis

If the bend in the penis is asymptomatic – meaning there is no pain – erectile dysfunction or other negative consequences, there might not be any need for invasive treatment. This is the general case when a condition is not interfering with your life (including your sex life!) In some cases, the bend in a penis will disappear of its own accord.

However, if you are concerned about the bend from an aesthetic perspective or simply want to correct the shape of the penis, there are various non-surgical treatments available. These treatments include xiaflex injections or other medicines; injections of xiaflex can be targeted directly to the affected area. While they may have some effect, there is limited scientific evidence that such injections will address the condition, so it is certainly worth weighing up the benefits.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides guidelines around one recommended treatment: extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT). By targeting soundwaves at the lump in the penis with an ultrasound scanner, soundwaves can break up the hard matter and result in a straightened penis. This guidance produced by NICE advises that – while it might be a safe treatment – there isn’t enough documentary evidence to justify its use because it is a relatively invasive procedure. So proceed with caution and sound advice!

Surgical treatments for penis bend

In severe cases, it may be possible to treat a bent penis with surgery. However, it is recommended that you wait at least 12 months before committing to a treatment (because, in many cases, the bend may disappear altogether).

If you do opt for surgery, it may involve:

Removing or cutting away the lump and using surrounding tissue to straighten or patch the hole

Balancing the penis bend by altering the tissue immediately opposing the bend

Implanting a rod or other device to straighten the penis.

This is not the only penile related problem – some may experience lumps and bumps too.

Is the lump in my penis cancer of the penis?

When it comes to penile cancer, the initial symptom is usually a mass, lump or ulcer. This might look like an insignificant bump or may be larger and have the appearance of an infected ore. While such lumps can arise on any part of the genital area, most commonly lumps are located on the foreskin or tip, rather than the shaft, of the penis.

Just because there is a lump, this does not necessarily mean cancer. Lumps can just as easily be benign sacs of fluid, scar tissue from trauma, or any other number of things. If you are worried about a lump, see your GP for a full visual exam – and if there are any concerns more tests can be done.

In summary, a bend in the penis is usually nothing to worry about, but if you have any concerns, contact Katelaris Urology. If there is an underlying condition, you can turn to surgical or non-surgical options to rectify.